License Plate Frame

[gb_fusionguy]

Maybe a weird question.

 

Just picked up our new 2011 Sport. When I tried to install the front license plate and a nice license plate frame, I noticed the factory license plate holder now only has screw holes at the bottom of the holder and clips to slid the plate under at the top. :headscratch:

 

I see no way to use a license plate frame on the front standard mount. I HATE the look of 'bald' license plates.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

[Oldguy16]

Maybe a weird question.

 

Just picked up our new 2011 Sport. When I tried to install the front license plate and a nice license plate frame, I noticed the factory license plate holder now only has screw holes at the bottom of the holder and clips to slid the plate under at the top. :headscratch:

 

I see no way to use a license plate frame on the front standard mount. I HATE the look of 'bald' license plates.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

I thought the same thing. I was considering drilling two holes for top screws. I think it could be done.

[gb_fusionguy]

I thought the same thing. I was considering drilling two holes for top screws. I think it could be done.

 

Yeah, I'm looking at that too. Just seems dumb to not allow us to put frames on.

 

The bracket on my 08 fusion had all four holes, no problem.

 

Must PO the dealers since they can't stick their crummy frames on the front and back of new vehicles. :rant:

 

Would love to just remove it, but NJ requires a front plate.

 

Grrrr,must find a solution.

 

GB

[Oldguy16]

Yeah, I'm looking at that too. Just seems dumb to not allow us to put frames on.

 

The bracket on my 08 fusion had all four holes, no problem.

 

Must PO the dealers since they can't stick their crummy frames on the front and back of new vehicles. :rant:

 

Would love to just remove it, but NJ requires a front plate.

 

Grrrr,must find a solution.

 

GB

I live in Jersey also, I know two plates is annoying. Yea nobody cares about the stupid dealer frames lol I replaced that immediately.

[gb_fusionguy]

I live in Jersey also, I know two plates is annoying. Yea nobody cares about the stupid dealer frames lol I replaced that immediately.

 

Yeah, the dealer one on the back was removed ASAP. Replaced with a nice solid chromed brass one.

 

It's the :censored: one on the front that is driving me nuts!!

 

Maybe once it warms up, I'll look at drilling and tapping something.

 

GB

[dabige]

I live in Jersey also, I know two plates is annoying. Yea nobody cares about the stupid dealer frames lol I replaced that immediately.

I told them to save their frames for someone else when they swapped my plates when I picked my car up for the first time...the sales guy even re-used my stainless steel screws as well. I also got them to leave off the dealer sticker on the trunk lid (not going to give them free advertising, although they have been giving me excellent service for the few issues that have popped up).

[Fuze-ion]

I drilled-out the two rivets holding on the plastic frame. Then I drilled the extra two holes in the license frame and glued the plastic nuts behind the frame. I let the glue dry overnight and then applied so more glue the next day around the edges of the plastic nuts. These nuts are available at any auto parts store, they come in White or Black, but are not visible behind the license frame. They insert into holes on most other vehicles, to allow fastening of plates. On Monday, I went by a Body Shop, and they used a Big Rivet Gun to Re-Install the plate Holder. It took them two minutes, and they didn't even charge me. I then installed my Frame and license plate back to the front of the car. This allowed me to install a Stainless Frame around the plastic plate holder. Sorry, I don't have any pictures. I plan to take some soon.

[gb_fusionguy]

I drilled-out the two rivets holding on the plastic frame. Then I drilled the extra two holes in the license frame and glued the plastic nuts behind the frame. I let the glue dry overnight and then applied so more glue the next day around the edges of the plastic nuts. These nuts are available at any auto parts store, they come in White or Black, but are not visible behind the license frame. They insert into holes on most other vehicles, to allow fastening of plates. On Monday, I went by a Body Shop, and they used a Big Rivet Gun to Re-Install the plate Holder. It took them two minutes, and they didn't even charge me. I then installed my Frame and license plate back to the front of the car. This allowed me to install a Stainless Frame around the plastic plate holder. Sorry, I don't have any pictures. I plan to take some soon.

 

Yeah, That's kind of the way I'm leaning now too. Kinda a PITA overall, but I see no other option. Would love to see pictures, BTW.

 

I'm surprised that so few people here don't find this an issue. I know NJ is not the only state that requires 2 plates, and I know a lot of us like license plate frames. Maybe there just aren't a lot of 2011 license plate frame fanatics here? ;)

I don't know when Ford changed the bracket design, I know my '08 was drilled for 4 bolts.

 

Anyone else wish to chime in?

 

GB

[GrySql]

I'm surprised that so few people here don't find this an issue. I know NJ is not the only state that requires 2 plates, and I know a lot of us like license plate frames. Maybe there just aren't a lot of 2011 license plate frame fanatics here?

I don't know when Ford changed the bracket design, I know my '08 was drilled for 4 bolts.

This is an old topic but the '13's are still the two bolt pattern and in CA we need two plates, and the plates come with 4 holes.

My solution was to purchase two polished stainless steel license plate frames with two holes, I found them on Amazon.

These come with a variety of screws and bolts and some nice shiny covers for the bolt or screw heads.

These have tabs on the inside of the frame to hold the actual license plate in the event only two holes are used, fortuitous indeed.

 

I attached them with the frame bolt holes on the front in the lower position and the rear frame holes in the upper position, the way that Ford has it set up.

After the install that left the holes in the license plate showing, not a completed look.

My local hardware store had a selection of moderately heavy reflective tape in numerous colors and I found the correct color for my reflective CA plates.

After that treasure hunt I cut out four (4) small squares from the tape, slightly larger that the license plate holes.

Using two on each license plate, the reflective tape covered the nasty looking holes - a perfect match.

 

I did have one small adjustment to make, the front plastic frame needed the upper two inside tabs to be removed because they prevented the SS frame from fully covering Ford's plastic plate holder.

Looks pretty good don't you think?

 

Edited March 14, 2013 by GrySql